About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

A grandmother is a mother who has a second chance.

At eights weeks old, Eden Elizabeth is interacting and giving us all big smiles now!
(I think the photos will enlarge this time, except for the one with me in red)

I like to do nice things for my grandchildren - like buy them those toys I've always wanted to play with.
~Gene Perret

Ah, yes, I love buying little gifts for my grandchildren (and I'm so thrilled to say "children" now). Not just for birthdays and Christmas, but at times when I happen to see something I think they'd enjoy. Now I find myself gravitating towards the children's clothing and toy departments every time I'm in the mall and seldom do I leave without a little purchase. In fact, two weeks ago when I went over to visit, 4-year-old Noah asked in all innocence, "Did you bring me a present, Gramma?" I laughed, but asked my daughter why he'd ask that. With a straight face, she stated, "Well you always bring something!" So last week when I arrived, I quickly announced, "I only brought something for Mommy today," before the inevitable question escaped Noah's lips. Ah, what the heck, that's what Grammas are for, right?

A grandmother pretends she doesn't know who you are on Halloween. ~Erma Bombeck

Not only do we have to feign surprise, but also pretend we don't "see" them when they're "hiding" behind the edge of a door, under the coffee table, or standing right behind us. I've had to play at being a little girl visiting Santa (actually sitting on Santa's lap...well, poised so I don't crush the poor little guy pretending to be Santa) and tell him what I'd like for Christmas. Then, I had to pretend to be asleep while "Santa" came and brought me a pickup truck and hotwheel cars that stood in for the doll and baby buggy "I" had asked for. Ah, what the heck, it's fun to play at being a kid again, right?

A grandmother is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend. ~Author Unknown

Yes, it's a chance to be an all-loving parent without that pesky responsibility of having to discipline. Noah and I have our little "secrets," too, when I've had to act the teacher to explain when he may have misbehaved done something wrong on our outings together without his Mommy. I show him how to print his letters, buy him educational toys, and ooh and aah over every little thing he does that shows he's growing and learning. And it's so gratifying that now he hops up beside me for a cuddle and shows ME how to use his Leapster. I always tell him he's "my favourite boy in the whole world" and play catch with him just like he would with a friend.

Most grandmas have a touch of the scallywag. ~Helen Thomson
Yes, I do have a playful and mischievous side to me. And sometimes it's very tempting to encourage that in grandchildren. But it's also important that they know it isn't really the right way to behave....in every circumstance. It's fun, though, to "pretend" to be bad naughty, and let's face it, kids know how to behave whether at home or at Gramma's. I remember one of the nights Noah was staying with me while my daughter was recovering from the C-section in hospital and Noah didn't want to go to sleep. So I told him the story of the Three Little Pigs, which I'm ashamed to admit my daughter had never told him. We both got so excited with our huffing and puffing and blowing the house down that we acted very silly, with Noah jumping on the bed like it was a trampoline! However, we did finally settle down and we both had a good sleep that night.

A garden of Love grows in a Grandmother's heart. ~Author Unknown

I remember asking my daughter if she was concerned about whether she'd love the new baby as much as she did Noah. She admitted that, yes, she was a bit. I explained to her that love is a strange thing. When it comes to our children, the love within us doesn't divide in half, but rather multiplies by two! And when Eden was about 6 weeks old, I asked my daughter again how she felt. She said she does love Eden just as much, but in a different way. And that's the way it's supposed to be - each child is different and is loved for the individual they are. I'm so proud of my daughter for what she has made of her life. She's worked hard to save for a house and car, married a good man who has proven himself to be a good husband and father, and together they have a wonderful little family. And for me, as a grandmother, I find it amazing that I love these two little grandchildren as much as I love my own two daughters! God has multiplied that love within me, too. (click on the photo to enlarge and notice that they have the same colour eyes.)

Noah wasn't being very cooperative last week, so I couldn't get the whole family in a photo. But here's my son-in-law Jason with Eden or "Half Pint" as he likes to call her. He's a wonderful father to both his children whom he absolutely adores. And he also likes to tease me by constantly reminding me that "he" gave me a grandson AND a granddaughter!

20 comments:

Jo said...

Leslie, omigosh what CUTE little kids. Look how little and petite and feminine Eden looks next to her BIG brother!! He is such a big boy now, isn't he? You are going to have so much fun with them - your own little Munchkins. I have a feeling you and Noah have a special relationship already, and you will have one with Eden soon too. They are adorable!

RiverPoet said...

Leslie, you are a very lucky woman, but you already know that! What beautiful children! Enjoy them -

Peace - D

Nancy said...

Leslie, they are adorable! You are so fortunate to be able to enjoy your grandkids so much. I can just see your love for them glowing from your face. That is a blessing indeed!

Anonymous said...

Nice post about our family...thanks Mom. Just to clarify, we always thought Jason would call our dtr "Half Pint" (he's a big Little House on the Prairie fan) but instead he just naturally calls her "Sugar" all the time! Funny how nicknames just happen, no matter what you think!

Jamie

Leslie: said...

Yes, josie I think we bonded when he stayed with me for several days while Jamie was in the hospital. And I can hardly wait until Eden is a little older so we can develop the same type of bond.

momma Yes, I know I'm very lucky to have these beautiful children in my life. And I enjoy every minute I'm with them.

nancy Yes, I'm blessed and they are adorable.

jamie Well, so far I've heard "half pint," "sugar," and "precious" and they all apply. And see how right I was about how love multiplies - even for grammas.

eastcoastlife said...

Your grandkids are so cute and the baby is so sweet! I can't wait to be a grandmother although my son's only 16. haha....

geewits said...

What cute little peoples they are! It looks like your daughter has recovered. I remember what a trauma a c-section was to my body.

Mental P Mama said...

Beautiful in every way!

Claire said...

Leslie love just oozes out of the pages of your blog. I was smiling as I read your words and enjoyed your photos. You have such a lovely family.

Mare said...

I've enjoyed reading your blog. Isn't being a G'mom fabulous!!!!!!

Daryl said...

Oh Leslie .. such a beautiful family ..Noah (I love that name)seems to be a combination of both his parents .. and Eden looks a lot like her daddy but at that age they are such changlings ..Daryl

Country Girl said...

Oh, you are counting your blessings, aren't you?! Always nice to see the pics of the little ones, Leslie. Good to visit you.

Liz Hinds said...

They are such gorgeous children! Of course grandmas have to buy presents occasionally for no reason, just because.

Ruth L.~ said...

Awwww, this is great! This is the epitome of a loving grandmother! You!

Linda said...

You are blessed with a beautiful family. Precious pictures. You go Granma!

Michele said...

Oh hey, these are fantastic photos.... cute cute cute! I love seeing the photos and I cannot believe how fast Eden is growing!

Rosie said...

the great thing about being a grandmother is that you can hand them back to mum. I am looking forward to this experience should it come my way!

Jay.Cee said...

Cute photos, Mom :) I took your advice and started a blog (well...technically started a NEW blog...I used to use Livejournal all the time, but I have let it go in the last couple years.)

I've called it "Random Interesting Things" because that's what I'll be posting :P Started off with an article from Wikipedia on Ladner...will add more posts as I find cool stuff to share :)

Ellee Seymour said...

I'm glad you enjoy your grandchildren. You will give them very precious memories to cherish throughout life. I'm sure they appreciate your time and gifts.

Sienna said...

This is an absolute hoot, ...Leslie these pics are so adorable, so beautiful thanks so much for sharing.

And you have so described the feeling of loving each child, adding another song in the heart.

Can't believe how they are growing so quickly.

Pam